IG Orders Police to Shoot Anyone Carrying Illegal Firearms

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has directed police officers across Nigeria to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms, as part of intensified efforts to combat insecurity and violent crime.

Disu issued the directive on Friday during a stakeholders meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, saying the move followed President Bola Tinubu's directive that the protracted security crisis in the state must be brought under control.

The police chief stressed that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to carry firearms, warning that security agencies would no longer tolerate the unlawful possession of weapons.

"You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated," he said.

Disu explained that the directive was based on Force Order 237, which, according to him, empowers police officers to respond immediately to armed threats without waiting for instructions from superior officers.

"We have given them instructions. We have a Force Order 237. Police officers have been instructed that they don't need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms," he said.

The Inspector-General said the directive was informed by the increasing number of security personnel killed while carrying out their duties.

"We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow," he said.

Reaffirming the order, Disu added:

"They have been instructed to shoot at sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary. But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you."

The police chief urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, saying community cooperation remains essential to tackling armed criminal groups.

Benue State has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months, resulting in the deaths of scores of people, the displacement of thousands of residents and widespread destruction of property.

The Federal Government has continued to reinforce security operations in the state by deploying additional personnel and implementing tougher measures aimed at restoring peace and preventing further attacks.